The subscription system currently used by Scotsman.com to restrict access to its “premium content” will be used on the weekly sites.

Holdthefrontpage reported today that readers will be prevented from viewing content beyond the homepage unless they sign up for a £5 three-month subscription – the equivalent of 40p per week.

The first wave of websites will be used to inform the decision-making on the subsequent rollout to other titles, particularly on advertising income and the impact on sales of the print edition, it was reported today.